Filing appliance.



H. J. HICK. FILING APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 23, 1911.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

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THE NORRIS PETERS CO PHOTOLITHOV, WASHINGTON. L

(TIMTED @TATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY J. HIOK, OI ALLIANCE, OHIO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE A$SIGN1VIENTS, TO THE MGCASKEY REGISTER COMPANY, (INCORPORATED IN 1914,) OF ALLIANCE, OHIO, A

CORPORATION OF OHIO.

Application filed May 23, 1911.

To all "whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY J. HICK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alliance, in the county of Stark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Filing Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved filing appliance employing frames or holders which swing relative to each other and support papers, bills, slips and the like upon one or both of their faces. I

For the purpose of illustration, I have, in the accompanying drawings, shown and herein described one form of filing appliance embodying my invention.-

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a filing appliance embodying my invention, parts of the casing being broken away to expose the frames or holders. Fig. 2, is a fragmentary side elevation showing the carrying, guiding and supporting frame and the holders. Fig. 3, is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 2 with all of the frames in a reclined position, the uppermost frame being broken away. Figs. 4: and 5 are fragmentary sectional views to illustrate details of construction. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view showing the position of the holders and the frames therefor when they are in compact arrangement for storing. Figs. 7 and 8 are enlarged detail perspective views of portions of the rear holder, and the holder forward thereof. Figs. 9 and 10 are fragmentary side and front views, respectively, of a set of holders and the frame therefor illustrating a different form of the invention.

In the drawings, 1 indicates a casing or housing of any usual or preferred form to operatively support a series of holders 2. The casing preferably includes a base or platform 1 and a back 1*. Each holder 2 comprises a back 2 which is preferably formed from sheet metal, and a series of paper or slip engaging devices 2 one of the latter being shown in Fig. 7. The back 2 of each holder may be extended along its lower edge and bent into a hollow bar 2 and then secured along its free edge to the back. This bar serves to strengthen the back from end to end and also operates to Specification of Letters Patent.

FILING APPLIANCE.

Patented Dec. 29, 1914.

Serial No. 628,997.

close the space between adjoining holders along their lower or inneredges.

tt indicates a series of strips mounted on the opposite faces of the holders and arranged parallel to each other. These strips serve to form pockets for the papers to be filed and also space the backs of the hold ers from each other.

4* indicates a strip arranged along each longitudinal edge of the adjacent holder to form end or closing walls therefor. These closing strips also operate to form pockets and space the hacks 2 from each other in a manner similar to the strips 4.

5 indicates as an entirety the means for connecting the holders together. These means preferably comprise a channel plate 5 secured to the faces of the closing strips 4 and an arm 5 extending laterally therefrom at its lower end. lhe arm 5* is preferably formed integrally with the plate 5 At 5, the arm 5 is formed with an opening in which is mounted a pivoting and supporting pin 5 the axis of which forms the axis of the adjacent holder 2.

5 indicates a slot formed in each plate 5 and extending in a direction longitudinally of the adjacent holder 2. When the holders 2 are assembled face to face, the arm 5 of one plate overlaps the plate 5 of the oining holder with the opening 5 and slot 5 in register. When the plates and arms are positioned in this manner the pivots may be inserted through the slots 5 and into the openings 5 and thus pivotally and slidably secure the holders together, as clearly shown in the drawings. In order to permit this arrangement of the plates and arms, each of the latter is offset, as indicated at 5, while the bar 2 and walls of the plate 5 are cut away to form a recess 5 in the flange of said plate 5 to receive the arm.

As will be apparent from the drawings, the elongated slots 5 permit longitudinal movement between the holders relative to each other, whereby they can be arranged normally in stepped relationship. Such arrangement results in exposing suitable eye signaling or index devices at the upper free ends of the holders 2 to facilitate the operation thereof. The pivots 5 extend laterally from the holders 2 to slidingly engage suitable guides, which also serve as supports for the holders, as will be later described. The pivots may be secured in the arms 5 in any suitable manner, as by nuts 5 engaging their inner ends.

6 indicates a guiding and carrying frame adapted to guide and support the holders 2. It rests on the platform l" in the casing preferably between the back l and one or more abutments 1 which permit it to be removed from the casing with the holders 2. The frame 6 comprises two guide members 6, 6 arranged upon opposite sides of the frames and carry guides for the pivots 5 of the holders 2. These guide members are preferably connected together by two plates 6 6", along their lower and rear edges in order to keep them properly spaced and also maintain them in proper alinement.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6, the guides comprise a series of slots 6 corresponding in number to the number of holders 2, and extending in a horizontal direction and parallel to each other from end to end of each plate or member 6 In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the guides comprise a series of strips 6 fixed to the inner faces of the side members G the strips being preferably doubled 011 themselves to form the upper and lower walls for the guide ways and to close the guide ways at their front ends.

A suitable device, indicated at 7 in Figs. 1, 2, i and 5 and at 7 in Figs. 9 and 10, is preferably provided for securing the front holder to the carrying frame 6 by engaging with the pivot 55 therefor.

8 indicates an anti-friction roller mounted on each pivot 5 to permit the easy sliding movements of the pivots in the guides.

9 indicates a projection or stud, preferably provided with an anti-friction roller 9 carried by the rear holder. It may be mounted in an opening 5 formed in the plate 5 of said holder. The projection or stud 9 extends into the guide for the pivot 5 of the rear holder. Its purpose is to cooperate with '1 the pivot for said holder and maintain the latter upright at all times during its forward and rearward movement.

In normal position, the holders 2 are arranged vertically, one behind the other and the pivots therefor in ascending order each above and rearward of the other. The holders are adapted to swing, one by one or in groups, from the normal position to a horizontal position. When any one of the holders is operated, its movement about its axis operates through the pivotal and slidable connections with the next rearward holder to move the latter, as well as all the remaining holders, forwardly. This operation is repeated each time a holder is operated. The operation of the holders back ward a distance equal to the space occupied by one of said holders so that the next rearward holder will take substantially the same vertical position as the last operated holder occupied.

As will be understood from Figs. 1 and 2, the operation of the holders to the horizontal position results in arranging themin superposed position. If it is desired to r move the holders from the casing, they are first all reclined, as shown in Fig. 4 and in.

dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 2. Following this operation, they are moved rearwardly as a unit to the rear end of the carrying frame, as shown in Fig. 6, the guides in the side plates 6 extending from end to end thereof to permit this operation. In order that the rear holder 2 may be reclined when the holders are to be removed, the upper wall of the guide for said holder is cut away as shown at 9. It will thus be seen that I provide a carrying frame to which the holders are connected and which permits them to be connected together, arranged in echelon and capable of moving longitudinally of each other for arrangement in rectangular form, and to slide rearwardly in said frame. The frame therefore serves to support and guide the holders when positioned for and during their operation, and also to hold and support the frames in compact arrangement when removed or detached from the casing. As the frame and holders thus remain connected together at all times, the holders and the guiding and supporting devices therefor are maintained in alinement and not subjected to danger of breakage by being separated one from the other.

10 indicates a tension device, preferably comprising a coiled spring which may be connected at one end to the rear holder and at its opposite end to the casing. This spring is put under tension by the forward movement of the holders. It serves to return them to normalposition after one or more holders. have been operated. The spring may be arranged to turn around a pulley in order that a long spring may be utilized without enlargement of the casing. To those skilled in the art of making filing appliances of the class described. man alterations in construction and widely di fering embodiments and applications of my invention will suggest themselves, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

My disclosures and the description herein are purely illustrative, and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

That I claim is- 1. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, a plate secured to each holder and provided with a laterally extending arm, and connections between each arm and the adjacent plate of the next adjoining holder, including a pivot permitting the holders to swing and move longitudinally relatively to each other, and means for slidably supporting the pivots in different planes.

2. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, a plate formed with an elongated slot, secured to each holder, an arm extending laterally from said plate and provided with a pivot pin which is sidably mounted in the slot of the adjacent plate carried by the adjoining holder for connecting the holders together, and means for slidably and pivotally supporting each of said pivot pins.

In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders arranged to be assembled together face to face and each formed with an elongated slot in its opposite walls and a laterally extending arm at its inner end, a pivot pin carried by each of said arms permitting the adjacent holder to be reclined, a series of parallel guides for slidably and pivotally supporting the pivot pins in different planes, the pivot pin of eacharm being slidably mounted in the slot of the adjoining holder, whereby the holders may be normally supported in. echelon and arranged in superposed position when reclined.

In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, a plate secured to each holder and provided with a laterally extending arm, connections between each arm and the adjacent plate of the next adjoining holder, including a pivot permitting the holders to swing and move longitudinally relatively to each other, means for slidably supporting the pivots in different planes, and means for connecting the pivot of one end holder to the slidable supporting means.

In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, a plate secured to each holder and provided with a laterally extending arm, connections between each arm and the adjacent plate of the next adjoining holder, including a pivot permitting the holders to swing and move longitudinally relatively to each other, and a frame provided with a series of guide ways for slidably supporting the pivots in difierent planes, said guide ways extending from end to end of the frame and permitting the holders to be moved in said guide ways as a unit toward one end thereof.

6. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders arranged to be assembled face to face and each provided with a pivot arranged to one side of its central longitudinal plane, supporting means comprising a series of guides one for each pivot for supporting the holders normally in stepped relationship and permitting them to swing relative to each other from the normal to a prone position, and a sliding connection between each pivot and the adjoining holder,

whereby the holders move relatively to each other when they are operated from normal position to prone position.

'7. In a filing appliance, the combination f a series of holders arranged back to back and each provided with a pivot arranged in the central longitudinal plane of the next forward holder, a sliding connection between said pivot and the next forward holder, and means for slidably supporting the pivots in different planes, whereby the holders are normally arranged in echelon and when one or more holders are reclined the remaining holders move forwardly a distance equal to the space occupied by the holders reclined.

8. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders arranged back to back and each provided with a pivot arranged in the central longitudinal plane of the next forward holder, a sliding connection between said pivot and the next forward holder, guide means for slidably supporting the pivots in different planes, whereby the holders are no mally arranged in echelon and when one or more holders are reclined the remaining holders move forwardly a distance equal to the space occupied by the holders reclined, and means slidably engaging said guide means and cooperating there with for maintaining the rearmost holder in normal position during its forward and rearward movements.

9. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders arranged back to back and each provided with a pivot arranged in the central longitudinal plane of the next forward holder, a sliding connection between said pivot and the next forward holder, means for slidably supporting the pivots in different planes, whereby the holders are normally arranged in echelon and when one or more holders are reclined the remaining holders move forwardly a distance equal to the space occupied by the holders reclined, and means for maintaining the rear holder in normal position during its forward and rearward movements, the pivot supporting means bein formed with an 0 aenin to on mit the reclining of said rear holder when the series of holders is removed.

10. The combination of a series of holders of uniform size and shape arranged to be assembled face to face, pivotal and slidable connections between adjoining holders permitting swinging and sliding movement of said holders relative to each other, each of said connections comprising a rigid arm car- 7 ried by one holder extending into the longitudinal plane of the adjoining holder, a pivot member carried by'said holder and a slot formed in said adjoining holder to slidably receive said pivot member, and means for supporting said pivot members in different planes.

11. The combination of a seriers of holders of uniform size and shape arranged to be assembled face to face, pivotal and slidable connections between adjoining holders permitting swinging and sliding movement of said holders relative to each other, each of said connections comprising a rigid arm carried by one holder extending into the longitudinal plane of the adjoining holder, a pivot member carried by said holder and a slot formed in said adjoining holder to slidably receive said pivot member, and means provided with guides for slidably supporting said pivot members in different planes, the said guides being of equal lengths and permitting said holders and supporting means to be telescoped together into compact form.

12. In a filing appliance, the combination of a series of holders, means for connecting said holders together comprising a channel plate secured to each holder provided with a laterally'extending arm, and a pivot connecting said arm to the next adjoining channel plate, each of said plates except the rearmost one having a notch in its flange to receive the arm of the next preceding plate.

13. The combination of'a series of holders of uniform size and shape arranged to be assembled face to face, pivotal and slidable connections between adjoining holders permitting swinging and sliding movement of said holders relative to each other, each of said connections comprising a rigid arm carried by one holder extending into the longitudinal plane of the adjoining holder, a pivot member carried by said holder and a slot formed in said adjoining holder to slida-bly receive said pivot member, and means for supporting said pivot members in different planes, the said pivot members and walls of said slots cotiperating to support the holders in substantially vertical position normally.

14. The combination of a series of holders of uniform size and shape arranged to be assembled face to face, pivotal and slidable connections between adjoining holders permitting swinging and sliding movement of said holders relative to each other, each of said connections comprising a rigid arm carried by one holder extending into the longitudinal plane of the adjoining holder, a pivot member carried by said holder and a slot formed in said adjoining holder to slidably receive said pivot member, and stationary guide means having upper and lower guide walls for guiding and supporting said pivot members in different planes. In a filing appliance, a plurality of assembled leaves normally supported uprightly, each two adjacent leaves being face to face, one side of one leaf having a guidebar thereon and also two pivot-bearings at opposite ends ofthe guide-bar, and a pivot -arried by the adjacent one of the leaves and normally having contact with one of the pivot-bearings of the adjacent leaf, the leaves being movable to prone position and guided by the pivots and the guide-bars.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature. in the presence of two Witnesses.

HARRY J. HIGK.

Witnesses G120. C. RUssELL, H. F. PoLLocK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. G. 

